Come close

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Psalm 24:3-5

 

Sincere worshippers of God long to be close to Christ. Beloved this is our end game as a disciple. This is and should be the outcome we crave. Closeness to Christ that places us in proximity for Him to wipe away our tears, and continually establish our joy. It is closeness to Christ that reveals our sin and leads us to repentance. It is closeness to Christ that instills the best perspective for life. It is closeness to Christ that calms our heart and engages our mind. The holy hill of the Lord is ascended by steps of repentance. 

 

Closeness comes from cleanliness. We came from the dirt. We started out unclean. Dirt in our heart throws dust in our eyes. We struggle to see God when we have not cleansed our heart. The pure in heart see God. But the impure of heart are like blind bats fluttering around in futility. We are from the dirt in the valley and He is high atop His holy mountain. The snow capped mountain of God is pure and clean. We daily must ask the Holy Spirit to clean us so we can ascend.

 

So we approach the holy hill of the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart. It is an outward and inward purification that we pursue. Our behavior and our beliefs both need sanitizing. Closeness to Christ comes when we align both our actions and our attitudes. We would not expect a server to bring our meal with soiled hands. Nor are we to serve our Lord with the dirt of denial and doubt under our fingernails.

 

God trusts those whom He holds close. He trusts them because they are nearby to hear His instruction and obey His command. They are hungry for His heart and thirsty for His trust. Closeness continually communes. It is not like the adult child who only comes home when they need something. There is intentionality in intimacy. God blesses those who are close by. Stay cleansed and close to Christ.

Our prayer:  Father I desire to be close to you and live daily in your presence.  By the power of your Spirit create in me a clean heart, and right Spirit that I might daily ascend to your Holy hill that you might impart all of Your goodness, power, revelation, instruction, love, and grace into my life in Jesus name Amen.

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Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
and Independent Travel Agent "Travel by Todd"

www.toddbrown.inteletravel.com

www.fbcc-va.org

www.wbgronline.com